I was a mom to twin kindergartners and had just turned 34 when a breast CANCER diagnosis completely changed my life…

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About – ***Read Me First***

What is it like to discover you have an aggressive form of cancer when you are in your 30’s and have young children to raise?

At 33 I was told that the lumps in my breast were probably nothing. So I did nothing, believing I was “too young for breast cancer.”

Shortly after my 34th birthday — and now with no health insurance — I discovered that Cancer didn’t care how old I was. On my twin kindergartners’ birthdays, the diagnosis of Her2 positive Stage 3C breast cancer rocked my foundation and changed my world in an instant.

This is the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful of my cancer diagnosis and everything that has followed. This is my story…

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There doesn’t seem to be an easy way to read posts chronologically, so if you would like to begin at the beginning, here is a current list of all of my posts in order, beginning with the very first post. Thanks so much for taking the time to get to know me.

We believe you and your followers may be interested in Follea’s Breast Cancer Wig Giveaway on Facebook. Participants who share their inspirational story will have the chance to win a Gripper-2 wig, a beautiful Tres Chic wig or a super-soft bamboo sleep cap. To view the Follea video “A Woman’s Spirit is Unbreakable: A Tribute for Breast Cancer Awareness Month”, visit

1. There are two different ways that a woman with breast cancer can be submitted for a chance to win these prizes:

• A woman with breast cancer can create and submit a short video about her journey with breast cancer, how it has affected her life, and how she is dealing with it.

• A friend or family member of a woman with breast cancer can submit a video about how their loved one who has cancer inspires them.

2. Submit video by Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 11:59 pm PST.

3. All winners, including grand prize, second place and third place winners, will be determined based on the number of votes a contestant receives, in comparison to their competitors. Voting closes Friday, December 14, 2012, at 11:59 pm PST. :

• The grand prize winner will receive her choice of either Follea’s Gripper-2 Sport or the Gripper-2 Cool, from Follea’s innovative and luxurious 2012 Gripper-2 Collection. The winner will select from one of five standard sizes and available standard color and length specifications.

• five second place winners will receive one of Follea’s beautiful, short-style, premium European-hair Tres Chic MM6 wigs.

• 50 third place winners will receive one of Follea’s super-soft bamboo sleep caps.

4. Follea will announce the winners on December 17, 2012 at 12:00 pm PST.
Also, every Friday through December 14, Follea will conduct a random drawing of all of the contestants’ names, giving all participants the chance to win one of Follea’s bamboo sleep caps every week.
About Follea: The company’s 2012 collection includes wigs and hairpieces that are specially designed for women with little to no hair such as the Gripper collection, which is light, breathable and stays securely in place with affixed medical grade silicone tabs. Follea has ICARe representatives and ICARe salons around the world, so women can get hands-on help choosing just the right wig or extensions to suit their needs.
Would you like to receive any additional information?
Best regards,
Lisa Elia
Lisa Elia PR
310-479-0216

Hi there – This is just to let you know that because I appreciate your posts, I’ve nominated you for the Illuminating Blogger Award. I hope you’ll consider this good news – but even if you aren’t interested in accepting, I hope you may see some increased traffic as a result. The acceptance rules are at: http://wp.me/p2ekZU-ZC. All the best!

I’m a bit (or a lot!) behind with the holiday rush, but THANK YOU so much for this wonderful honor! I am enjoying your blog, too, and I’m looking forward to more of your terrific posts…
Thank you so much!!

I am just spellbound by your blog. I have nominated you for an award — the 2012 Blog of the Year Award. It will be ‘announced’ on my blog, tomorrow morning, where you will find the rules. They are not onerous, I’m happy to say. Here’s a link to my blog:http://weinstein365.wordpress.com/

I am truly speechless… I was going to thank you so much for your kind comment and for your incredible (WOW!) nomination…
And then I popped over to your blog and read your http://weinstein365.wordpress.com/2012/12/29/day-145-oh-my/#more-1988
post…
I am so deeply moved by your generous and beautiful words…
Congratulations on your amazing 2012 Blog of the Year award! And thank you from the bottom of my heart for my nomination…
Though I tried here, there are no words grand enough to show you what I’m feeling…

I popped over from Weinstein365 as I am a young 1 year chemo free triple negative breast cancer survivor, although that is (WAS) only one of multiple medical problems, so I really dont pay much attention to it, or any of them in fact. They dont own me! Every day is a gift, and severe illness will spurt you on to greater heights or allow you to fall into the pit of despair. I am flying in the clouds, and I hope the same for you.

Hello nice to meet you, I’m sitting in a car dealership and haven’t time to read through your blog at this time. I will definitely come back and poke around. With heartfelt empathy, raising children is worrisome let alone having to cope with what you have been through. And so – where are you today? Cancer free I hope !

Thanks so much! It’s nice to meet you, too. Thanks for taking the time to read & comment. I’m not sure where I am today. No one has used the words “cancer free”. I have some upcoming scans to look into whether my current issues are related to the many treatments and surgeries I’ve had — or… So I am trying not to dwell on it & am taking one day at a time.
Thanks so much — and I look forward to visiting your site.

Oh Divine, I hope I didn’t make you feel bad!!! No apology necessary! I’ve certainly heard of people being deemed ‘cancer free,’ so I don’t think there is anything wrong with the expression. I seem to hear ‘remission’ more in later stage cancer circles if there is an expectation of return. Some of it may be oncologist preference, too? P.S. I am enjoying your blog!

You are strong enough to keep on fighting. Just like me, I’ve been diagnozed with breast cancer only 4 days after my 36th birthday, on 2010. I guess that was my another “birthday gift” that year. I’ve been taking some treatments, and now I still consume tamoxifen 20 mg tablet, with prescription from my oncologyst. I hope we’ll be the champions from this kind of fighting.

I had Stage 0 breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy, followed by radiation with the “balloon” in the breast. If I had it to do over, I would just have the breast removed. It’s been 5 years and it still hurts when we hit bumps in the road in the car, etc.
How are things going? Are you undergoing chemo?

A balloon in the breast doesn’t sound pleasant! I’m sorry you are still experiencing pain after 5 years! I think all too often we are not really told what to expect after surgeries and treatments, so it’s difficult to make the right decision — and sometimes to feel good about the decisions we make. I think the medical community really needs to come up with a better way of conveying what to expect from cancer treatments and of helping patients make choices they feel good about!

Things are going okay for me. I began Palliative Care a few months ago and am on an oxy and morphine regimen that has made a huge difference for me. As for treatments, I’ve had lots of chemo and radiation and surgeries and Herceptin, but I’m happy to say that all I’m getting now is Zometa and Tamoxifen. 🙂

Thanks, dear! And you, too… I’m behind with reading/writing, but I will come to catch up soon! I saw your post about how smart people can end up in abusive relationships in my email and I’m sure it will strike some chords so I’m looking forward to reading it when I get a few minutes to myself! 🙂 Hope you are doing okay! xo

Of course! It was my husband. It was just awful. I am writing about it right now. This might be a good one to submit to your blog. Things have been so bad that I couldn’t even come here to write until now… 😦

Oh no!! I’m worried. If you want to put it on my blog you would be welcome too. If you ever need to and are able to talk, you can feel free to call me too. I have my email on my “about” page let me know!

Thank you, I think of you often… It has been difficult to get on here to write privately. I have missed it & all of the wonderful support. I have a few questionable things going on medically, but I am hanging in there…
How are you doing?
xoxo

I am so glad to hear that you are doing well…
I’ve just been feeling worn down. I have swelling on the left side of my neck where I previously had cancerous lymph nodes (and then had successful chemo & radiation to the area), and some swollen lymph nodes behind my left knee and my right arm. Saw my PCP and she ordered me to my oncologist right away, but I’ve been trying to hold out for my scheduled appt. next week.
It’s probably nothing, but a bit concerning nonetheless.

Good luck with your projects! I hope to be less of a stranger when I get some strength back.
I’ve missed reading your posts & will visit soon!
Thinking of you!
xoxo

I had a lump in my breast when I was 28, and went undiagnosed until I was 33 years old. I was told repeatedly that I was to young to worry about Breast Cancer. I am happy to tell you that I am now 55 years old, and yes I did have a recurrence when I was 40, but am a survivor, one day at a time.

My 27 year old daughter just had bilateral prophylactic mastectomies, and now she is a PREVIVOR!

I wish you all the best of health and happiness, and know that there are a lot of people out here praying for you.

Thank you for your posts, your courage and your activism! I lost my brother-in-law to an aggressive melanoma in 2009. He was living in our house and died peacefully, surrounded by his family. It was still a very tough year. My Mother-in-law, who lives with us, is a two-time cancer survivor. She is 84, and beautiful, active and vibrant. I hope your life is as long and fruitful as hers, and I truly appreciate the contribution you’ve made here. XOXOX

I haven’t started reading your blog…yet, but I came across it today coincidentally. I just left the dr after my “well” women check and the dr found a few lumps she believes are just benign cysts. Mammogram is being scheduled. I am 30 with 5-year old twin boys also…small world 🙂 My mom just went through breast cancer lumpectomy and radiation treatment last fall so I am familiar with breast cancer and its affects. Stay strong and believe in yourself. Best wishes to you!

Hi Heather,
I’m glad your doctor was thorough and didn’t miss or dismiss your lumps. And glad that she thinks they are benign cysts,but that she wants to check them out anyway. It makes me happy when I hear of doctors who don’t dismiss breast changes/lumps simply because of a patient’s age and because they buy into the false notion that cancer can’t happen to a young woman..
That being said, I’m sure it was probably a stressful day! And worrisome! Especially considering how you’ve just just gone through your mom’s surgery and radiation with her.
I am so glad you are getting the lumps checked out (and hope they will do an ultrasound, too). I could say ‘try not to worry,’ but I know that’s easier said than done. I will be thinking of you & I hope you check back in and let me know how your appt. goes.
Best wishes, Leisha
p.s. funny that you also have twin boys! 😉

I won’t press “Like” because it’s not something good to be liked. I’ so sorry about your health, I wish you get better and be able to raise your kids. I am looking forward to start reading your posts and hopefully I’ll be able to help in any way. Best wishes. God bless you!

Hi, I just came across your blog. I’m 37 and was diagnosed with breast cancer just over a month ago and had my mastectomy September 5. Right now I’m a stage 2B but will be seeing my surgeon tomorrow to see if I’m upgraded to a 3A. I haven’t had a chance to read too many of your posts yet but plan on it. I also invite you to check out my blog, http://www.littlebsbigc.wordpress.com. I hope you are doing well.